as in wet
to make or become slightly or moderately wet
moisten the cloth before cleaning with it
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Recent Examples of moistened
At least, this time, unlike the December 2023 inspection, only natural juices moistened the ham and the rice looked insect-free.
—
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
For any type of cabinet, a soft cloth lightly moistened with soapy water should do the job effectively.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Add the 2/3 cup milk; stir until just moistened.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Feb. 2026
With gloved hands, press lightly on the top so the ingredients are moistened by the milk.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Nov. 2025
That could explain the oxygen released from the Mars soil sample when moistened.
—Joel S. Levine, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
For any type of cabinet, a soft cloth lightly moistened with soapy water should do the job effectively.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Add the 2/3 cup milk; stir until just moistened.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Feb. 2026
With gloved hands, press lightly on the top so the ingredients are moistened by the milk.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Nov. 2025
That could explain the oxygen released from the Mars soil sample when moistened.
—Joel S. Levine, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moistened
Verb
-
Blot — don’t rub — and avoid over-wetting the mattress, which can lead to mold growth if moisture gets trapped inside.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Water at the base of plants instead of wetting the entire garden with a sprinkler or hose.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The tongs used to pull hot dogs and taquitos off the eternally turning roller grill didn’t get washed, rinsed and sanitized when in use for four hours.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Recycling bins can get even funkier thanks to sticky bottles or cans that weren’t rinsed thoroughly.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There is the Basilica of Saint Mary of Minerva, and children playing ball, shopkeepers chatting on the doorstep of their stores, flushed tourists dragging their suitcases all around.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Having your water heater professionally flushed annually can help prevent this issue.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Clothes were washed outdoors in a heavy barrel called a zhlukto, or carried to a nearby stream.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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Opposite Paul Newman, she was featured as a character known as Lucille, The Girl, who sensuously washed his car in an iconic scene from 1967's Cool Hand Luke.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Start with a clean cloth damped with plain water.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Use a cotton ball damped with rubbing alcohol and rub over the area.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That cautionary note dampened Wall Street's enthusiasm and erased the stock's bump.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Cat hair regularly settles on my desk, keyboard, and glass dresser top, and a few swipes with this duster (dampened) picks it all up.—
Kayla Blanton,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moistened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moistened. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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